Her eyes blink up to mine, holding me captive and cementing me in place so I can’t walk away and do the job I was hired for. As the woman adds finishing touches on what seems like a blue crown on Lizzy’s forehead, she smiles and looks down at her hands on her lap. The color brings out her eyes, and I don’t want her to hide them from me.
“All done. Deputy, you’re next.” The woman looks over at me.
“Ms. A, that’s so pretty. You’re just like Elsa,” Stephanie says. I almost forgot the students were standing here with us.
“No, that’s okay. I need to get back to work.” I point over my shoulder.
“Oh, no you don’t. I’ll make it quick.” She smiles, and I know I’m going to lose this battle when the kids push me forward.
“Fine,” I grumble. “But I don’t want a whole face thing. Something small…for the children.” I drop on the chair, hiding my embarrassment with a scowl.
“Aw, come on, Deputy, be a team player.” Lizzy laughs.
“I am,” I deadpan. “See?” I stretch my arms out, almost knocking down some paint from the table.
“Do Thor!” one kids calls out.
“No, Spiderman,” another says.
“A football!” a third one says. I lose sight of who’s talking.
“A football works.” I nod.
Something simple and not as attention-calling.
“What do you think, Ms. A?” The woman looks at her. “What best suits our deputy here?”
I swallow thickly, looking at Lizzy with pleading eyes.
“Hmmm…how about a dragon?” She taps her lips, avoiding my eyes, but I see the way she’s holding her laughter.
“Ohhhhh, yeah!” The kids all say in unison.
I curse under my breath and glare at the woman who’s bound to make me crazy. She’s biting her lips, but she snorts.
“It’s for the children,” she reminds me.
“Right.” I look at her, unamused, and hold my breath. I did not move to Emerald Bay to get my face painted at an elementary school event.
“Uncle Nate, cool!”
Brooke guffaws when she sees me on the seat, green paint starting to streak my face.
“Not a word.” I lift a finger to my sister.
She lifts her hands, unable to stop laughing. Then, she looks at Lizzy, and they both start cackling louder. I want to shut them both up, but I’m stuck in this chair with green paint on my face and a group of students and parents, so I need to keep myself together.
For a moment, I can see these two women teaming up against me, and I like the sight of that as much as I shouldn’t. Lizzy and Brooke would get along great, and in a different life, it could happen.
“All done,” the woman says, patting my shoulder. “Don’t worry, you won’t be scaring children with this.” She hands me a mirror, and I see a small dragon that goes from my cheek to my jaw.
It looks like something from theDragon Talescartoon. I couldn’t even get something respectable like a dragon fromGame of Thrones.
“Thanks.” I attempt politeness, but knowing I have to walk around with this all day is not something I’m excited about. “I need to get back to work.” I stand, glaring at Lizzy and then at Brooke.
“Looks…intense,” my sister says with a chuckle.
“Thanks for the sibling support, sis,” I tell her.